Coin-controlled lock



Feb. 17, 1931. w. M. GLEASON COIN CONTROLLED LOCK Filed June 13, 1927 afaflffve354,451,547/

Fig.

Patented Feb. 17, 1931 jh WALTER MQ eLE-Ason, joronnnelvn, cAmronN'In application med June 1 3,

My invention relates lto a lock utilizing a coin or the like for effecting a primary opening operation thereof. f

An object of the invention is to provide a lock of the class described in which knob spindles operable from different sides ofthe lock are engaged by the coin when the latter is operatively disposed in the lock.

Another object of the invention isto provide a lock ofthe class described in which a knob spindle directly provides closure means 'against the insertion of a second coin following a primary operation of the lock.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lock of the class `described which vis of a particularly simple structure p and `involves the use of a minimum number of parts.

The invention lpossesses other objects andV features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of thev preferred form 4of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part ofthe spec` ification It-is to be understood, however, that variatidns in the showing made by the -said-drawingsand description may be adopted within the scope ofthe invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawings, Y Y

Figure 41 is a front view of the lock.

Figure 2 is an edge view of the lock.

Figure `lis-a plan sectional view of the loc showing the mechanisml thereof. Y

Figure 4 is a view taken on the linel 4-4 ofFigure AFigure, 5 is a View taken of Figure 3. e

' `Figures 6 and 7 are fragmentary views showing parts of the mechanism in different operative positions. Y Y f Figure 8 is a plan view showing vdetails of the spindle structure and mounting, the parts being positioned as in Figure .3 but axially separated. Y

In the present embodiment of the invention, the mechanism of the lock is mounted on front and back plate members 6 and 7 respectively which are held in opposed spaced relation by'means of suitable spacing memo bers. As here shown, the plate 7 provides the en the line 5L5 it-will be noted, is also arranged to overlie the 'oom-'coNrnonL'En Loox e .1927.y serial No. '198,35e. v Y

backi'wall lofthe lock casing and'also provides thee-pacing members in the form ofportions 8 of the plate 7 bent transversely therefrom at the plate edges and having their extremities y9 bent inwardly in a common `plaine whereby the front plate 6 may be secured thereto as by scre'w` bolts 11. The plates 6 land 7 are provided adjacent the upper edges "thereof with axially aligned openings 1n which knob spindles 12 and 13 respectively c are rotatably. mounted with portions vthereof iext'ending outwardly from the plates "for the reception of knobs 14 andrl'.: As here shown, the protruding'knob receiving spindle portions `are rectangular, while the inwardly exltending spindle lportions are generally cylindrical with their inner extremities in op# posed relation. l Extending inwardly from the plates 6 and 7 at each ofthe spindleperforations thereof, '70 Vfaire 'annular flanges 16 Aand 17 respectively, the 'bores of such yianges providing cylindrical 'bearings for the spindles whereby the spinldles may be held in xedV axial relation to the plates formaintaining the mutual alignment of the spindles. Mounted-for reciprocation on the inner face 18 of the plate 7 adjacent the spindle 13 is a Alatch plate 19 carrying a latch bolt 20 at an extremitythereof, 4such bolt being arranged-to be normallyl held in extended position by means of a compression "spring 21 operatively interposed between the other end of the latch plateand a post portion 8. As here shown, tthe latch plate is formed of a relatively thin strip of metal and isfguided-for rectilinear movementover plate 7 by reason of the "engagement of an upset plate `portion 22 and a post 23 in slots 24 and 26 provided in the latch plate. The post 23,

latch plate for holding it Vagainst plate 7, and is, vfurther utilized in another manner to be hereinafter set forth. The withdrawal of the latch plate and bolt, it willinow be noted, is y' arranged to be elfected by and upon an appropriate rotation ofthe spindle 13, and as here ranged to engage a projection 28 provided on the latch plate.

it will now be evident that the withdrawal of the bolt will be effected each time spindle 13 is appropriately rotated and that, since the spindles are not connected, a rotative movement of spindle 12 may normally be effected independently of any manipulation of the spindle 13, it being noted that the spindles 12 and 13 are arranged to be respectively operated from the outside and inside of adoor on which the lock is mounted. in order that a. rotation of the spindle 12 may effect an operative rotation of spindle 13 and thereby effect a retraction of the bolt, the spindles 12 and 13 are arranged to simultaneously receive and hold a coin 29 of appropriate denomination whereby the coin will provide such mechanical connection between the spindles as will permit the opening operation of the lock from the outer side thereof. Accordingly, and as here shown, the spindles 12 and 13 are respectively provided with diametral slots 31 and 32 extending inwardly from their mutually opposed ends and arranged when in aligned relation to together define a coin receiving passage very little wider axially of the spindles than the diameter of the coin 29. Preferably the slot 31 of spindle 12 is of no greater depth than slot 32 of spindle 13, and

may be of somewhat less depth, as is here shown.

Normally both of the slots 3l and 32 are arranged to be vertically disposed for the cooperative reception of the coin and means are accordingly provided for so disposing the slots. To hold the spindle 12 in its normal position, a sprinor 33 is utilized, such spring being here shown operatively connected between a radial extension 34 of the spindle and a hook 35 upset from the plate 6 whereby the rotation of spindle 12 in a predetermined direction is urged, it being noted that a contrary rotation of the spindles is required for withdrawing the bolt. As here shown, the rotation of the spindles to withdraw the bolt is clockwise with respect to the spindle axis when the latter is viewcdl from the outside of the door, andthe terms clockwise and cwinter-clockwise as hereinafter used, are to be understood as applied accordingly. T he extension 34 is arranged, when the slot is normally disposed, to engage a stop 36 provided on the plate 6 adjacent the flange 1G. Means are also provided for urging a counter-clockwise rotation of the spindle 13, such means comprising a tension spring 37 operatively connected between the arm 27 and a spacer portion 8. Normally, if left free to turn, the spindle 13 is arranged to be disposed with the slot 32 out of a. vertical position in a counter-clockwise direction as shown in Figure 7 and with the arm 27 disposed against a stop 33 provided on the plate 7, it being noted that in such a case the arm 27 lies in spaced relation from the latch-plate projection 28 and that such arm is arranged to just engage the projection 23 when the spindle is rotated to dispose the slot vertically.

Means are provided for releasably retaining the spindle 13 in position to dispose the slot 32 in its vertical and coin-receiving position, and as here shown such means comprises a pawl 39 pivotally mounted on the post 23 for movement in a plane perpendicular to the spindle axis and arranged for engagement with the peripheral surface of the spinidle 13 and a tooth 4l provided thereon and in the plane of movement of the pawl. In this manner, following a. rotation of the spindle 13 to withdraw the bolt, and with the pawl engaged against the sjjiindle,surface, the return movement ol the spindle to the position which it is urged to assume by the spring 37 will be checked to dispose the slot 32 in its vertical position, as shown in Figure 4. rllhe pawl 39, it will now be particularly noted, is arranged to be disposed either for engagement with the tooth 41 or outwardly of the spindle to permit the passage of the tooth thereby so that the spindle may assume yits previously mentioned position with the slot 31 out of the vertical. Preferably, and as here. shown, the pawl is arranged to be resiliently retained in either one of said positions thereof by means of a tension spring 42 connecting the pawl to a post 43 here shown provided as an upset portion of the plate 7, it being noted that the pivotal point of the pawl is arranged to lie at different sides of the line of action of the spring for said different positions of the pawl. whereby the pawl .will be positively urged to assume and maintain either one of said positions from an intei-mediate dead-center7 position.

rlhe slot 31, it will now be noted, is not defined between parallel plane faces as is the slot 32, but is formed rather as of a pair of intersectingand diametrically opposed sector shaped cuts defined between opposed sets of intersecting and singularly related plane faces 44 and 4G. Preferably, .andas here shown, the faces 44 are mutually parallel and define between their planes a space wide enough to receive a coin, while `the faces 4G are similarly related` with their planes angularly advanced through a small `angle in a counter-clockwise direcgion 'from the planes of the faces 44, it being noted that the slot portion defined as ,between` faces 44 is arranged to be disposed vertically when the extension engages the stop'l. T he slot 31, it will furthermore be noted, extends axially into the spindle 12 beyond the outer edge of the flange 16 of plate G, which flange is notched as at 47 to permit the insertion of a coin in the slot when the spindle 12 is disposed in its normal position with faces 44 vertical. In this manner, with a coin in the slot and disposed against the faces 44, the

llt

meeste lweri'laiige portion will forma. rest for the coin and so prevent the colnpy ete passage vthereof through the spindle. VAf notch 48 is provided inthe lower llafnge portion in counter-clockwise rrelation ito a diameter through notch 47 whereby a oin positioned substantially against the slot faces 46 when 'the spindle' 1K2 its normally disposed will be enabled toesca'pev from the slot, `itbeing-noted on or in connection with the spindle 13 and `that the rotative relation ,of `-spindle 13 to lspindle 12d'ete'rmines the disposal of the coin in the slot of the latter "as is hereinafter `set forth in detail, i

Extending from the pawl 39 toward the spindle 13 is an "arm '49, which arm, whenthe pawl is operatively engaged against the spindle, is arranged to b'e so engagedby a Vcoin in the spindle that when the latter is turned to withdraw the latchplfate, the pawl will be set in its inoperative position as clearly shown in Figure 6. As here illustrated, the spindle 13 is transversely recessed at a' side thereof to receive the 'arm 49 for vengagement with the coin, the relation of the arm and recess being su'ch that the displacement of pawl 39 will only Vo'ccur when there is a coin in the spindle, so that a turning of the spindle to withdraw the latch when no coin is in the spindle,does not effect thedispo'sal ofthe pawl in inoperative position. The inner 4surface 51 of the vrecess is so related to the arm 49 that on a return movement vof the spindle following Vthe release thereof, the surface 51 will engage the arm to restore the pawl to its whereby ythe spindle 13 is permitted to assume the position shown in Figure 7. In this manner, it will now be cle'ar that when arcoin 1s operatively disposed in the sloto'f spindle 13,`

the movementof the latter from itscoin receiving position to withdraw the latch bolt renders the pawl inoperative whereby release of the spindles permits spindle 12 to resume its normal position and permits the spindle 13 to move back beyond its-coin receiving position to dispose the coin slot Vthereof obliquely with the coin againstV the faces 46 of the slot of spindle 12. In this manner the coin will be moved to register with the notch 48 of the flange 16 and is thus allowed to escaperfro'm its engagement. in the spindles. lVhen the spindle 13 is thereafter rotated from the inside `vof the door to withdraw lthe latch bolt, the p'awl will ride over the tooth whereby the spindle maybe 'caught and held in coin receiving position upon Vbeing released following such movement.` The range of movement of the pawl is limited by means of a stop pin OfeXtending from the plate 7 cooperating coin 're'c'f'eiving-V position whereby a coin may be introduced into the mechanism. Wiieinliowever,the spindle 1 3 is disposed as in Figure 7, fa portion 56 of its surface will 'be disposed across the perforation 54 whereby Athe passing of a coin vthrougli 'the latter and into the lock will-#he positively prevented.

Preferably, 'and ashelfe shown, the perforati'oi'i closing portion 56 of the spindle 13 Ais extended aiially to over-lie the slot 31 of the spindle 12 and the notch 47 'of fla'nge"1'6,`su'ch flange and spindle being' here shown 'as 'of l'slightly 'smaller diameter than the spindle 13 to p'erlnit 'suchrelatifoi1--` In this manner, a

`complete' closure of the perforation 54 is arranged to be eected whenever th'e insertion Aof coin isto be prevented. To still more e positively in'clioate' thefo'losiire of the perfovrationele a suitable symbol 57, such as the word Occupied, may be provided on 'the V'spindle portion 5G, as herewith particulai-ly disclosed. Y

The casing v.'52, itN will be noted, is arranged to cooperate with the plate 7 to denne coin boX adjacent the bottom thereof, and is provided in` its front face 58 `with a .suitably locked door '59 .tor lermitting access to the coin boX by an atten ant.

'With the foregoing description of thel'o'ck in 'mind7 a 'cycle of operations of the lock will now beset forth. Having th'e spindles set in their cooperati'n'g 'coin receiving position y'with their `coin receiving slots in registration with the casing perforation, a coin dropped through the perforation would fall downwardly through the passage provided by the sp-indle 'slots 31 and 32 unt-i1 it comes to rest on thel'ange' -1`6. V A eloclm'vise rotation of ls`p1ndley12'by means of the outer knob 14 lwill first 4cause the 'surf'ace's 46of the slot of spindie 12 to engage the eoini'after which further -rotationof the spindle12 will rotate the coin 'about thespindle-a-Xis to effect a rotation of spindle 13` 'and withdrawal of the latch platelawhile the coin, by reason or" its engagement with the pawl arm 29 will fat the 'same time cause a disposal of the pawl 39 in inoperative relation 'to the tooth '41'. Release of th'efknob 14 will now permit the spindle 12 to resume its normal position while the 'spin- Adle` 13 -will,"through failure of the pawl 39 to engage tooth 41, assume a `position to dis-A pose the portion 56 thereofunder the casing perforation 54 for closing the same, and at the 'same time-dispose the coin for registration withthe lowernotchf48 'of flange 1'6 whereby the ,ooiii' may escape from its operative 'position in the spindles, restoration of the pawl 39 to its operative position but behind the tooth l1 being also effected. Upon an exit operation of the spindle 13, that is, by rotating same with the inner knob 15, the tooth 41 will be moved from under the pawl to the opposite side thereof, whereby upon a return movement of the spindle 13 following the release thereof, the latter will be stopped and held in its coin receiving position and the lock is thus restored to its original condition for the reception of another coin and operation from the outside.

It will now be noted that the lock mechanism of my invention comprises a minimum number of moving parts, and is particularly positive in its functioning. Furthermore, since the only mechanical connection required between the spindles 11 and 12 is provided by the coin itself, each of the spindles and its associated mechanism can be independently mounted on a different plate member whereby assembling of the lock structure may be very much simplified. Also, the use of a spindle as a closure means for the coin receiving per foration of the casing is an important factor in minimizing the required number of parts.

I claim':

1. In a `coin controlled lock, a normally extended bolt, members rotatable about a common axis and arranged to be rotated from opposite sides of said lock, one of said members being operatively connected to said bolt for eecting the withdrawal thereof and the other of said members being normally rotatable independently of said first member, means utilizing a coin to directly connect said members whereby an appropriate manipulation of said second member will actuate said first member to withdraw said bolt, means operative to retain the coin in operative relation to said members prior to and during the withdrawal of said bolt by means of said second member, means cooperating with said last means and members to automatically release said coin from its operative position following said withdrawal of said bolt and to prevent the operative association of a second coin with said members, and means cooperating with said members operative upon a subsequent withdrawal of said bolt by said first member to thereafter permit the operative association of said second coin` with said members.

2. In a coin-controlled lock, a casing providing a coin slot, a normally extended bolt, opposed members rotatable about a common axis and arranged to be actuated from opposite sides of said lock, one of said members being operatively connected to said bolt for effecting the withdrawal thereof and said members cooperatively providing a coin receiving passage for the reception of a coin from said slot to operatively connect the other member to said first member whereby an appropriate rotation of said second member will effect thewithdrawal of said bolt, and means for rotating one of said members to close said slot following the insertion of a coin in said passage and the withdrawal of the bolt by means of the rotation of said second member.

3. In al coin-controlled lock, a casing providing a coin slot, a normally extended bolt, independent and axially aligned knob spindles operative from opposite sides of the lock and provided at their inner portions with means cooperative to define a coin receiving passage lying in a plane parallel to the spindle axis and normally including said coin slot, whereby a coin disposed in said passage will connect the spindles for the joint operation thereof, means operatively connecting one of the spindles with said bolt and means operative when a coin is disposed in said passage to position said last spindle to close said slot Yfollowing the withdrawal of said bolt by means of the rotation of the spindles.

a. In a coin-controlled lock, a normally7 extended latch bolt, a lock mechanism iiicluding knob spindles operable from opposite sides of the lock, means operatively connecting one of said. spindles with said latch bolt. means utilizing a coin to operatively connect the other of said spindles to said first spindle, i

a casing for said lock providing a coin slot normally open to permit the operative insertion of a coin in said mechanism. means utilizing a spindle to close said slot following a Withdrawal of said bolt by means of the actuation of said second spindle, and means thereafter operative to reopen said slot following the withdrawal of said boit by means of the actuation of said first spindle.

5. In a coin-controlled lock, a casing providing a coin slot, a normally extended bolt, a rotatable knob spindle comprising independent spindle sections formed to cooperatively provide a coin slot, which sections when a coin vis deposited in the slot thereof are jointly operable to effect a retractive Inovement of said bolt, one spindle section beingl arranged in one position thereof to serve as :f closure for said coin slot in, the casing, and releasable means automatically operable to retain said spindle in slot closing position following a retraction of the bolt thereby.

6. In a coin-controlled lock, a casing providing a coin slot, a normally extended bolt, independently rotatable knob spindle sections for operating the bolt formed to cooperatively provide a coin receiving slot, said spindle sections being arranged in one position to receive in the slot thereof a coin which has been inserted through said casing slot and arranged in another position to serve as a closure for said slot in the casing, and means operative to alternately hold said spindle in said positions.

7. In a coin controlled lock, a normally extended bolt, members Vrotatable about a com-v mon aXis and arranged to be rotated Jfrom opposite sides of said lock, one of said members being operatively connected to said bolt for effecting the withdrawal thereof and the other of said members being normally rotatable independently of said first member' means utilizing a coin to directly connect said members whereby an appropriate manipulation of said vsecond member will actuate said first member'to withdraw said bolt, means including a portion of one of said rotatable members automatically 'operative following a bolt withdrawing manipulation of said second member to prevent the operative association of a second coin with said members, and means operative by and upon a subsequent withdrawal of said bolt by said' first member to thereafter permit the operative association of said second vcoin with said members.

8. Ina coin controlled lock', independent andV axially alignedspindles operative from opposite sides of the lockv and formed to cooperatively provide a` coin receiving slot whereby a coin deposited in said slot will connect said spindles forjoint operation, a lock casmg having a com slot arranged to Y register with the spindle slots and one of said Cil spindles having the greater portion of the spindle provided coin slot, and an extension on said last named spindle and providing with the spindle a portion for closing the casing slot in one position .of the spindle.

9. In a coin controlledlock, independent and axially aligned spindles operative from opposite sides of the lock and formed to cooperatively provide a coin receiving slotwhereby av coin deposited in said slot will connect said spindles for joint operation, a lock casing having a coin slot arrangedV to register with the spindle slots and oneot said spindles having the greater portion of the spindleprovided coin slot, and an eXtension on said last named spindle and providing with the spindle a portion for closing the casing slot in one position of the spindle,` and indicia denoting a condition of the lock arranged on the spindle carrying the eXtension and appearing on said extension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto setv my hand at Oakland, California, this V8th day of June, 1927. WALTER M. GLEASON. 

